Maps preserving product \(A^\ast B + B^\ast A\) on \(C^\ast\)-algebras (Q2119324)

Let \(\Phi: \mathcal A \to \mathcal B\) be a surjective map between two unital complex \(C^*\)-algebras \(\mathcal A\) and \(\mathcal B\) with the additional property that \[ \Phi(\frac{A^*B+B^*A}2) = \frac{\Phi(A)^*\Phi(B) + \Phi(B)^*\Phi(A)}{2} \] for all \(A,B \in \mathcal A\). We emphasize that \(\Phi\) is not assumed to be linear. The authors show that if \(\Phi(-I) = -I\) (which is automatic if \(\Phi\) is injective), then \(\Phi\) is the direct sum of two \(^*\)-homomorphisms, one of which is linear and the other conjugate linear over \(\mathbb C\). This work extends the results appearing in [\textit{C. Li} et al., Bull. Iran. Math. Soc. 44, No. 3, 729--738 (2018; Zbl 07040690)] on von Neumann algebras with no central abelian projections.